Report: Lionel Messi to become highest paid footballer

Stories in the Spanish sports press have claimed that the Barcelona man could be in for a bumper pay day.

Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed over the weekend that the Argentine record-breaker is about to be offered a new performance-based pay structure in his contract, which could see the Blaugrana forward earn as much as €20m (£17m) per season.

Cristiano Ronaldo signed a new deal at Real Madrid earlier this month that saw him become the best paid footballer in Spain – with the Portugal international rumoured to be earning €14m (£12m) over a campaign.

But the Catalan sports daily have insisted that the Camp Nou are ready to sit down with Messi and offer him a new pay structure to take his earnings per annum above those of his Clasico rival.

According to Forbes, in 2012, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the highest paid sports star, in terms of wages, earning $43m (£26.5m), whilst Samuel Eto'o topped the list for footballers, taking home £16m from former club Anzhi.

Alex Mott

Alex Mott is a 22-year-old freelance journalist, focusing on all aspects of the beautiful game. Having previously written for the likes of Goal.com, Football Italia and Soccer 360, he is an experienced writer happiest when waxing lyrical on Serie A and La Liga.